BIGGER, stronger, cooler on the ball, a young Tipperary side (the bulk of whom are eligible for minor again next year) were too good for Limerick in this Munster MFC quarter-final game in showery Kilmallock last night. Seven points was the difference in the end but — contradictory as this may seem — it could have been more, had Tipperary converted their obvious superiority into scores, but it could also have been a lot less, had Limerick converted the many goal chances they created throughout the game.

Three times in the opening half Limerick bore down on the Tipp goal (though playing into the breeze) but a single point was all they had to show for those efforts; twice more in the second period they again sliced open the Tipp defence, came away with nothing on either occasion. In those latter instances, however, no blame could be attached to the attackers. In the first instance a there was a magnificent last-ditch goal-line block by corner-back Óisín O’Flynn on William Shanahan (39th minute), then later, an acrobatic foot-save by keeper Gearoid Slattery, to deny Ian Fahey (55th minute).

Overall, however, Tipp were in control of this game. Featuring a dangerous inside line of Liam McGrath, Michael Quinlivan and TJ Ryan, they were four points to one ahead in the 12th minute, Limerick already with three wides. In a game that was interrupted time and again by the shrill blast of Mr Jay’s ever-ready whistle (not often you see two teams completely at odds with the referee, and for the whole hour, but thus it was, and with good reason), there was little to report in the next 10 minutes, a Limerick point from centre-forward Denis O’Dea the only scoring.

The 22nd minute, however, was the pivotal moment, the game’s only goal, and an easy concession it was too; a speculative centre in towards the Limerick goals but full-back Kevin O’Donoghue was first off the mark and got himself into good position to cut off the danger. When he slipped on the greasy surface, the ball broke to the waiting Michael Quinlivan and he finished well — 1-4 to 0-2. Tails up, Tipp finished out the half stronger and led by six as the teams headed for the oranges, 1-6 to 0-3.

Tit for tat it was for the opening 10 minutes of the second half, two more points apiece (Danny Frewen and Francis O’Riordan for Limerick, freetaker TJ Ryan with the brace for Tipp), then three points in two minutes for Tipperary (Ryan again, sub Dean Lonergan and Liam McGrath), and Limerick were very much in the hole, nine points behind (1-11 to 0-5). There was still time for a comeback, quarter of an hour remaining, and at this stage Limerick brought on the cavalry, emptying the bench. The best of the newcomers was Dean Lillis, and his two points, along with two brilliant efforts by midfielder Dara Tracey, narrowed the gap. But it proved merely damage limitation; Tipp roll on to the semi-final against Kerry, Limerick look now to a backdoor game.

Defeated Waterford in the first round before losing to Kerry by 2-15 to 0-7 in the semi-final at Newcastlewest

Lost to Kerry in the first round. Defeated Clare in the Losers Group 2nd Playoff before losing out to Cork by 2-12 to 2-9 in the semi-final at Thurles.

Number of Munster Minor Football titles

1

5

Last Munster Minor Football Title

1956

1995

Munster Minor Football Championship Record since 2000

Played – 35
Won – 10
Lost – 22
Drawn – 3

Played – 44
Won – 18
Lost – 22
Drawn – 4

Last meeting in the Munster Minor Football Championship

May 14th 2008 at Semple Stadium in the Munster semi-final – Tipperary 2-8 Limerick 0-9 – the sides were level at 0-4 each at the interval before goals from Conor Sweeney and David McGrath secured a 5 point victory for the home side.

The Tadhg Crowley Cup was presented by Munster Council in 1990 to commemorate late Munster Council Treasurer. Tadhg was elected as Munster Council Treasurer in 1968 and served until his death in December 1989. A teacher by profession, he also served as Kerry County Board Secretary from 1955 until 1970. Tadhg was recognized as a specialist in organizing and handling styles and gates at big Munster Championship games.

All Ireland Minor Football Championship

In the Minor Football All Ireland Roll of Honour, Kerry top the charts with 11 titles while Cork are tied for second with Dublin with 10 titles. Clare won the first All-Ireland Minor Football title in 1929 while Tipperary only All-Ireland success at this grade came in 1934. Between them Munster counties have accounted for 23 All-Ireland Minor Football titles, ahead of Leinster and Ulster (20 titles each) and Connacht (17 titles).

The All-Ireland Minor Football title has not been won by a Munster county since Cork’s 2-12 to 0-13 victory over Mayo in the 2000 Final. Since then, Ulster counties have won 7 of the 10 finals played, Connacht 2 titles and Leinster have 1 title.

Cork are the defending Munster Minor Football Champions following a 1-8 to 1-7 victory over Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney. Corner-forward Brian Hurley scored 1-6 for the winners, including a 58th minute goal to complete a come from behind victory.

Since 1956, Cork and Kerry have won every Munster Minor Football title with the exception of 1984 and 1995 when Tipperary were successful.

Tipperary have played 44 matches in the Munster Minor Football Championship since 2000, more than any other Munster county.

Waterford have won 1 Munster Minor Football Championship match out of 13 played since 2005.

Cork, Kerry and Tipperary have won at least 1 match in the Munster Minor Football Championship every year since 2001.

The Kerry manager Pat O’Driscoll was the manager of The Ardfert Senior Football team that captured All Ireland Club Junior Championship honours in 2006 and won the All-Ireland Club Intermediate Championship in 2007.

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